Albendazole

Anthelmintic · Benzimidazole anthelmintic

Indications

Hydatid cysts caused by E. granulosus or E. multilocularis. Pre-operative or post-operative adjunct to surgery in patients with hydatid disease. Strongyloidiasis.

Dosage

E. granulosus: Adults: Over 60 kg, Medical treatment, 800 mg daily in divided doses for 28 days followed by 14 albendazole-free days; up to 3 course of treatment may be given. Adjunct in surgical treatment, pre-operative: Adults: 800 mg daily in divided doses for 28 days followed by 14 albendazole-free days; repeat course once before surgery. Adjunct in surgical treatment, post-operative: If viable cysts after pre-surgery treatment, or if no pre-surgery treatment, or if only short pre-surgery course, Adults: 800 mg daily in divided doses for 28 days followed by 14 albendazole-free days; repeat cycle once. E. multilocularis: Adults: Over 60 kg, 800 mg daily in divided doses for 28 days followed by 14 albendazole-free days; prolonged treatment may be required. Strongyloides infection: Adults: 400 mg as a single dose for 3 consecutive days; repeated after 3 wk if necessary. Children: 12-24…

Adverse Effects

GI disturbances, headache, dizziness, rash, fever, rarely reversible alopecia, haematological and liver enzyme changes.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Adequate non-hormonal contraceptive measures must be taken during and for one month after treatment. Precautions: Perform blood counts and liver function tests before treatment and twice during each course of treatment.

Interactions

Theophylline, anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives & hypoglycaemics, anticoagulants.

Advice to Patient

Take with meals. Contact prescriber if there is unrelieved abdominal pain, vomiting, unusual fever, dark coloured urine, light coloured stools, yellowing of skin or eyes.

Pharmacokinetics

In pediatric patients (6-13 years), pharmacokinetic values were reported to be similar to adult data. Absorption: Poor from the GI tract; may increase up to 5 times when administered with a fatty meal. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 8 to 12 hours (albendazole sulfoxide). Time to peak, serum: 2 to 5 hours for the metabolite. Excretion: Urine (<1 % as active metabolite); feces.

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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